Posted by sukarno on November 2, 2010, at 5:31:09
In reply to Re: please rephrase that » Christ_empowered, posted by Dr. Bob on November 1, 2010, at 1:04:16
Interestingly I read that according to Islam, all people with mental illness, regardless of what religion they are, will go to heaven. I'm sure it is the same with all religions that believe in a personal god.
Unfortunately, followers of many religions, Muslims included, try to discourage those with mental illness from taking their medications. There is some sort of boundary drawn between "physical illnesses" such as heart disease or diabetes and mental illness such that mental illness is seen as something that prayer, diet, exercise or willpower alone can fix.
That type of attitude keeps me away from most religious folk, no offense intended to anyone.
If I had a dollar for each time I've been told that my panic disorder isn't serious and that I don't need meds (only prayer..or I'm doing something wrong and am not religious enough so that's why I'm suffering), I'd be rich by now.
I knew a pharmacist who was religious and also a doctor and both didn't want me taking Prozac or other necessary medications. "Just pray more and it will be cured". Yeah. Been there and done that.
I just tell them that I believe it is okay to use science since, if one believes in a god, then it makes sense that god would have inspired scientists to develop the necessary drugs to treat a condition.
They never tell anyone with diabetes or heart disease to stop taking medication. I can't quite figure that one out. Maybe they believe mental illness is demonic possession?
alprazolam (Xanax) 1mg QID
black tea: 2 cups/day
GNC Ultra Mega Gold vitamin supplement, BIDDx: panic disorder, MDD (unipolar, melancholia), perfectionist, probable PTSD
poster:sukarno
thread:967761
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20100403/msgs/968041.html